Karachi Woman Appeals to PM Modi for Help Amid Husband's Plans for Second Marriage
A Pakistani woman from Karachi, Nikita Nagdev, has made a direct appeal to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his intervention in a distressing marital dispute. Nagdev alleges that her husband, Vikram Nagdev, abandoned her in Pakistan and is now secretly planning to remarry in Delhi.
Nikita Nagdev says she married Vikram Nagdev, who she describes as a Pakistani-origin man residing in Indore on a long-term visa, on January 26, 2020, in Karachi, according to Hindu customs. A month later, she states that Vikram brought her to India. However, their marital bliss was short-lived.
Nikita claims that on July 9, 2020, just months after arriving in India, Vikram took her to the Attari border and sent her back to Karachi, citing "visa problems". She alleges that he never attempted to bring her back to India. Nikita says she later discovered that Vikram was allegedly having an affair with one of her relatives. When she told Vikram's family, she says they dismissed her concerns. She further claims that during the COVID-19 lockdown, Vikram forced her to leave India.
Upon learning that Vikram was allegedly preparing for a second marriage with a woman from Delhi, Nikita released a video appealing to PM Modi for justice. In her plea, she expressed concerns that if justice is not served, women will lose faith in the system. She also filed a written complaint in January 2025 through a community mediation group (panchayat) in Indore, seeking their intervention.
The Sindhi Panch Mediation and Legal Counsel Centre, authorized by the Madhya Pradesh High Court, reviewed the case. However, the center stated that since neither Nikita nor Vikram are Indian citizens, the matter falls under Pakistan's jurisdiction. The mediation group recommended Vikram's deportation.
The case highlights the complexities of cross-border marriages and the legal challenges that arise when both parties are not citizens of the same country. Legal experts suggest that enforcement of rulings and deportation orders depends on international agreements between India and Pakistan.
Nikita's appeal has resonated on social media, sparking outrage among social groups and legal bodies in both countries. Her plea underscores the vulnerability of women in cross-border marriages and the need for accessible legal recourse in such situations.
